What is Dokra jewellery? What to Look for When Buying

Jewellery is an emotion for Indian women. At weddings or festivals, you can see people decked out in gorgeous jewellery as accessories. However, as the days have progressed, people have been looking for more minimalistic yet stunning pieces. That's when the 4000-year-old non-ferrous metal casting technique comes into the picture. 

 

Yes, we are talking about Dokra!

 

So, what is dokra jewellery? A popular, lost-wax casting technique, Dokra is an advanced method used in jewellery design. 

 

Did you ever come across the dancing girl statute in the history books from the chapters of the Indus Valley civilisation? This intricate craftsmanship is heavily inspired by it. Featuring unique designs and stunning detailing, Dokra jewellery is gaining a lot of value in eastern India. 

 

Though jewellery has set its roots in ancient history, it is becoming a go-to accessory item among young people. The youth of the present-day world are hooked on products that tell a story. With the tribal narrative that Dokra brings in, people are drawn towards its aesthetical designs. 

 

A glance at a Dokra piece of jewellery reveals the amount of hard work that has gone into it. Are you ready to learn about the history and making of these elegant handcrafted products?  

 

Let’s return to this unique art form that has become a well-known jewellery design. 

 

 

The History Of Dokra Jewellery

 

In India, jewellery designs are mostly linked to historical roots. The art of Dokra is also not an exception. Jewellery items are made using the long-wax method, a metal-casting technique. The Indus Valley civilisation had an immense impact on designing these beautiful crafts. 

 

The iconic dancing girl statue and animal statues made of bronze and brass have an impression on this handcrafted jewellery. If you go back to ancient times, these statues had tribal connections. By bringing their reflections into the jewellery form, the traditional metalsmiths are making compelling efforts to tell the story. 

 

What is dokra jewellery, and how did the name come into existence? Dokra, also known as Dhokra, is a name that has a substantial tribal impact. How? The name of this art form is derived from the nomadic tribe Dhokra Damar. Originating from the West Bengal belt, the tribe travelled to various other places in India, including Odisha, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand. 

 

Since the nomads have been travelling to all these parts of the country, their craft has left a mark wherever they go. To date, tribal communities like Malhars, Gonds and Bhils practice the tradition of handcrafted jewellery techniques by interpreting the Dokra style. 

 

 

What Technique Is Used For Dokra Jewellery?

 

By now, you must have understood what dokra jewellery is.  Let's know its design techniques. To design dokra jewellery, the artisans use tedious ancient methods. The primary way to create dokra-style jewellery is by using the lost wax casting technique. It is an intricate and time-consuming process, followed by multiple steps. The result after the entire process is something to look forward to! 

 

Step 1: Designing this stunning jewellery requires the artisans to be extremely creative. The artisans prepare a clay core sourced from the banks of the river. To meet the great demand for sustainable materials, the artisans mix the clay core with coal dust and rice husk. Depending on the quality of the base, the artisans can work on the next steps of jewellery design.

 

Step 2: After the base is done, the artisans use waxes like resin wax and beeswax to create unique patterns, which are then applied to the clay core. Earlier, hand-rolled wax was used on the clay core. Now, with metal or wooden presses, artisans ensure distinct detailing. 

 

Step 3: After coating the wax-covered clay model with multiple layers of clay, the artisans keep an opening in the model. The tribal pieces featured on the clay core are then dried using heat. Traditionally, the core was sundried. However, due to the great demand for this style, advanced heating processes are now used. 

The wax is melted away from the clay model, leaving the following mould behind. Molten metals are then poured into these clay moulds, which are used in designing jewellery. Once the liquid metal is cooled, the artisans carefully remove the clay mould. 

 

Step 4: The final stage of handcrafted jewellery techniques is all about finishes and touches. The structure is polished. Often, the pieces are adorned with extra engravings to refine and give the jewellery items an earthy texture. This enhances the detailing of the designs, making it look aesthetically pleasing. 

 

 

What Is Dokra Jewellery Made Of?

 

Reflecting tribal folklore and tradition, dokra jewellery is primarily made up of brass. The popularly known dokra dokra craft uses metal casting methods. This includes the lost wax casting process. Artisans mostly use clay cores as raw materials, which are mixed with rice husk or coal dust. 

 

The presence of such organic materials has touched upon the sustainability factor, an ongoing demand in the fashion business.  

 

To source the clay, artisans rely on riverbeds. Everything has a strong connection with nature, from the use of materials to the designs the artisans give to the jewellery. The finesse with which artisans create dokra jewellery is what makes them eye-catching. 

 

 

Why Is Dokra Jewellery Special?

 

Dokra jewellery is celebrated among art connoisseurs. The traditional jewellery-making techniques with the touch of ancient history make the dokra so special. Each handcrafted jewellery piece from this art is unique. 

 

The nomadic influence that dokra has also highlighted the emotional aspect of tribal communities. Through this art, they tell a story to everyone about their tradition, culture and lifestyle. What is dokra jewellery? It is more than an accessory now. It reflects upon the creativity of talented artisans. 

 

The multiple steps to create these eye-catching jewellery items also add to the speciality of dokra. From creating the base with organic materials and river-sourced clay to polishing the pieces, the entire process is nothing less than creating a masterpiece. 

 

The use of organic materials has made these items sustainable. The current fashion mart is all about sustainability. Using scraped materials also adds a special element to its design and aesthetics. 

 

 

How To Clean Dokra Jewellery?

 

Boasting a long history of tribal lifestyle, tradition and folklore, Dokra jewellery has become popular among people, especially in the West Bengal region. Dokra-style jewellery is also gaining fame in other eastern states like Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Jharkhand. 

 

Wearing this kind of jewellery will make heads turn. However, to keep them in good condition, following some cleaning and maintenance tips is essential. 

 

• Dust is everywhere, and it is likely to dull the jewellery piece. You can use a cotton cloth to clean off the dust from the dokra neckpiece or earring.
• Though the jewellery gives an earthy texture, it also offers a shine. The jewellery item requires cleaning to sustain the shine in the long run. Use a brass polish on a dry cotton cloth and apply it on the jewellery item. It will make it as good as a new dokra jewellery.
• If you find it a daunting task to use brass polish on your delicate dokra jewellery item, you can also use homemade solutions. Make a paste with lemon juice and bicarbonate of soda, dab it with a brush and rub it on your jewellery items. This will bring back the lost shine of dokra jewellery.
• Alternatively, you can apply a little toothpaste on the jewellery piece to clean off the dirt and make it shiny. 
  

 

 

What To Look For When Buying Dokra Jewellery?

 

The design is the most obvious thing anyone would consider when shopping for dokra jewellery. However, there are other factors that you should consider when purchasing these artistic jewellery items. 

 

• Authenticity:  Since dokra-style jewellery items are handcrafted, each design will be distinct. The little imperfections you can spot in the jewellery items make dokra authentic.
• Finish: Primarily, dokra jewellery features a brass finish. When you buy jewellery made with dokra art, see if they have a polished or rustic brass finish, based on your preferences.
• Craftsmanship: Dokra jewellery highlights supreme craftsmanship. The design, finish and detailing will tell you much about the artisan’s skills.
• Design: What is dokra jewellery? It is all about handcrafted jewellery techniques and intricate designs. Look at the patterns carefully and check for tribal aesthetics. That’s the uniqueness of dokra jewellery.
• Price: There’s a diverse price range for dokra-style jewellery pieces. The better the materials used and the complex processes adopted, the higher the price of dokra jewellery will be. 

 

 

Why Choose Amar Shindook For Dokra Jewellery?

 

Looking for unique dokra jewellery? At Amar Shindook, we showcase a beautiful collection of dokra ornaments that feature traditional motifs and patterns. Inspired by nature, folklore, and tribal ethnicity, we design modern and sustainable jewellery with roots dating back to the age-old Indian civilisation.  

 

• Unique Designs: We offer distinct designs highlighting rich tribal traditions and art. Each of our handcrafted jewellery pieces shows exceptional creativity and grandeur.
• Sustainability: The word that is trending in the fashion mart. As a trendsetter, we ensure our jewellery items are sustainable and compliant with ethical standards.
• Authentic in Quality and Craftsmanship: Our dokra jewellery directly comes from the creative hands of artisans. Their years of experience designing tribal art-inspired jewellery give our products a sense of authenticity.
• Minimalistic Style: Our dokra jewellery resonates with modern women who want a minimalistic look. With our beautiful collection, you can stand out.

 

 

Dokra Jewellery: An Expression of Tribal Tradition

 

Now you have a sound idea of what dokra jewellery is. Tribal art is deeply rooted in India's heritage. Dokra belongs to the category of art form appreciated by fashion experts. Jewellery inspired by Dokra highlights minimalism and elegance. Each design crafted by talented artisans has a unique element. It all takes a dokra piece to catch a few glances.  

 

Adorn yourself with the beauty of tribal art. Check out our Dokra jewellery collection today!